The weekend will start with live music and Nick Saban throwing out the first pitch at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Once the fanfare subsides, No. 10 Alabama will simply shoot for its third consecutive SEC series victory.

"This is something we've worked hard for the last few years, putting this team together," Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. "We feel like we've played good baseball but we feel like this team's ceiling is much higher than even what we've played to this point. We've had some special things happen throughout the year. We also feel like our best play is in front of us."

Until Wednesday's setback against UAB, Alabama's best play typically occurred in front of its home fans. The Crimson Tide (22-10, 8-4 SEC) has lost just once to SEC competition at Sewell-Thomas Stadium and just four times on the season.

The addition of free, open seating in right field promises to add a new wrinkle to its rivalry with the Tigers.

On multiple occasions this season, cooler-toting fans have been turned away after the crowd exceeded 1,100. The self-proclaimed "Right Field Ragers" have their own Twitter account and have been welcomed with open arms by the Alabama baseball team.

Opposing right fielders? Not so much.

"This year's team is special and I think people are starting to see that," said Alabama pitcher Jon Keller, who will start Sunday. "The right field plaza has helped tremendously bringing more people in to the stadium as well as the right field area. It's helped tremendously."

Alabama has won the past two series against Auburn (20-14, 5-7) and scored its first-ever Capital City Classic victory earlier this season. That game's starting pitcher, freshman Nick Eicholtz, will be a key member of the Crimson Tide bullpen this weekend, and closer Thomas Burroughs will be well-rested.

Freshman catcher Will Haynie, who missed the past two weeks with a concussion, is also expected to be back in the starting lineup.

"It's huge," outfielder Ben Moore said. "Will behind the plate is outstanding. He doesn't play like a freshman at all."

Friday's game has been dubbed "Night at the Joe," as the band August Ashe will perform in front of the stadium starting at 5 p.m. After Saban's first pitch, dozens of prizes will be given out during the game.